Academics in Antiques – Carlton Hobbs

While some businesses find success in appealing to a mainstream audience, others aim for the opposite! What we call niche industries are those who cater to a deeply specific demographic with meticulous standards. While these client bases may be smaller, the products involved are frequently of great value. These guidelines ring clear in the antiques circle, where priceless items of deep historical significance are dealt and acquired by life-long collectors. When it comes to this market, dealer Carlton Hobbs remains at the forefront.

A force for three decades, Hobbs stands an authority not solely for his impressive collection, but for his academic approach to all acquisitions and sales. In addition to publishing articles in esteemed journals, Carlton Hobbs maintains and frequently updates an extensive personal library of texts concerning antiques. Thanks to his close involvement as a scholar, he commands a prestigious education in 17th, 18th, and 19th century antiques. His attention to historical pedigree has landed pieces from his collection in museums including the Musee de Louvre, The National Gallery of Greece, The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, The John Paul Getty Museum, and The Boston Museum of Fine Arts. He further contributes to his field as an active member of the British Antique Dealers Association and the Art and Antique Dealers League of America.

Originally located in London, Carlton Hobbs ultimately relocated to Manhattan, where he houses his prized cache of pieces in the historic Vanderbilt mansion on the Upper East Side. Along with business partner Stefanie Rinza, he accommodates an elite group of clientele.